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Behavior of Chernobyl fallout radionuclides in peat combustion
M J Jantunen1, A Reponen, R Mustonen
1National Public Health Institute, Department of Environmental Hygiene and Toxicology, Kuopio, Finland.
Health Physics
|March 1, 1992
Summary
Chernobyl fallout in Finnish peat caused radionuclide enrichment on small combustion particles. Cesium, ruthenium, antimony, and lead showed volatile behavior during burning in power plants.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Nuclear Chemistry
- Combustion Engineering
Background:
- Chernobyl nuclear disaster released significant radioactive fallout.
- Finnish peat harvested in 1986 contained up to 10 kBq 137Cs kg-1.
- Radionuclide behavior during combustion was not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the behavior of Chernobyl-derived radionuclides during peat combustion.
- To determine the distribution of radionuclides in combustion particles.
- To identify volatile and non-volatile elements during peat burning.
Main Methods:
- Combustion of contaminated peat in four different power plants.
- Analysis of radionuclide distribution on particle sizes.
- Identification of chemical forms and volatility of radionuclides.
Main Results:
- Cesium, antimony, ruthenium, and lead were enriched on the smallest particles.
- These elements were in a volatile chemical form during combustion.
- Cerium, zirconium, and radium remained non-volatile at combustion temperatures.
- Ruthenium volatility was confirmed, attributed to its oxide forms.
Conclusions:
- Chernobyl radionuclides exhibit differential volatility during peat combustion.
- Volatile elements like cesium and ruthenium concentrate on fine particles.
- Understanding radionuclide behavior is crucial for managing contaminated biomass and emissions.
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